Look Of The Week

Who says shorts are only for summer. This look kills with all the modern trends, and 100% comfort. You too can achieve this look with some simple styling techniques:Outdoorsy footwear is going to go far... rain boots, moccasins, or any suede and leather boot will perfectly offset the ladylike pieces. The unshapely oversized fit of the sweater is countered by the feminine burnout lace effects. Satin, velvet, lace or leather short at a high rise will give the ooh-la-la factor of legs for days. Top the look off with a giant oversized scarf in any color for warmth and mystery. What makes this look so appealing? She's not revealing a lot of skin, just some legs in the dead of winter, trust me, it's a good thing no matter how pale you may feel.

Handmade Valentine DIY

Only a few days till Valentine's Day... are you ready? Yesterday, I created some cute and simple little valentines for friends and family, now you can too.
What you'll need:

• A Map
• Brown Butcher Paper
• Matches
• Scissors
• Construction Paper or Blank Card
• Glue
  

Fold your construction paper into your ideal-sized card. Cut brown butcher paper to scale with the "front" of your card. Light your match and ever so lightly, singe the edges of your butcher paper. Attach to the front of your construction paper card. Using your map, cut out 6 medium-sized hearts. Also cut out a rectangular shaped strip about 5" long by 1/2" wide. Lay hearts evenly across the front of your card and glue down. On the the inside of your card, fold your strip of map into a little banner and angle the edges. Write a little love note or phrase on the banner.

Hand to your loved one ♥

70's Curls DIY

It's no secret: 70's style is back. Here's a little hair tutorial to bring your 70's style full circle. Of course it's all about volume, so grab a pick, some hairspray and read on... you'll need a comb, pick, hairspray and a 1.5" (or smaller) barreled curling iron and a handful of bobby pins for this look.
Step 1. Tease
Using your comb, create a center part. Tease all the hair around your part about 2" down your head, and smooth the top by softly brushing your comb over it. Place a track of bobby pins around your head under your tease line.
Step 2. Curls Galore
Using 1" thick sections of hair, begin at one side of your head and curl away from your face. If you start on the bottom of your hair, make sure to not remove the bobby pin track as you work your way up. Use it as a guide for the top of your curls. Curl all hair below your pin track and let cool. Remove bobby pins.Step 3. Pick It
Using your pick, comb through all your curls, over and over to achieve a soft, feathered look. Spray with a nice layer of hairspray and flip your head upside down to dry. You may need to touch up with hairspray as the day goes on, and the flip-to-dry trick always works

The result will be a soft, 70's curls, with a nice modern edge. Farrah Fawcet would be so proud.

joy

Portland's sure been changing my perspective on life. I've lived here only 1 month, but already I can see changes in myself most definitely for the better. Each day is brighter that the one before, and i feel an abundance of joy in my day to day life.
Over the weekend I made a new neighborhood cat friend, he's too cute to resist. I also baked and cooked a few meals, enjoyed the company of new friends, and put the final decorative touches on my home. The only thing I'm sad about is not having as much time as I'd like to create and craft the ideas in my head. For now, I am keeping my ideas in a little moleskin and hope to turn them into amazing little tutorials soon!
Not too much to mention in the way of an outfit from the weekend, I was rather short on time, but nevertheless: What I Wore: Unknown brand ruffled lace sweater, black target mini-dress, violet lace tights by Betsey Johnson, grey knee-high socks, black BDG slouch boots

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Superbowl Sunday in my house means 2 things: Nachos and the PuppyBowl. I made the most delicious nachos, a family favorite (recipe below) :: Sideline Supernachos
1 15-oz can of refried beans
1 cut picante sauce
1 14 1/2-oz or 16-oz can stewed or diced tomatoes, drained and choppeed if needed
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 medium green pepper, chopped
2 cups (8-oz) shredded monterey jack cheese
diced avacado and sour cream as desired
1 bag tortilla chips

Combine beans and 1/4 cup picante sauce, tomatoes, cumin and salt. Simmer 5 - 10 minutes or until most of the liquid has evaporated.
In a large casserole dish, spread bean mixture to cover the bottom of the dish. Top with green pepper and cheese. Bake at 350 for 20 - 25 minutes or until heated through. Drizzle with additional picante sauce. Garnish with avacad, radishes, olives and sour cream as desired. Serve with tortilla chips, flour tortillas and additional picante sauce.
makes 6-8 servings, yum!

Sweet Sunday Playlist

this moment contains all moments

Look Of The Week

The perfect winter party look. When pulling off one color, without looking like a giant crayon it's important to mix and match textures. In the Look Of The Week, this darling lady pairs a wool hat and cape with leather pants and metallic accents. Very chic.{image via les/mads}Why does this look work? The little styling accents are what sets this look apart. Notice her rolled cuffs to expose a little more skin in a subtle location. How her cape is worn unbuttoned, but her arms are exposed outside of it, with chunky jewelry and a polished manicure that sets the whole look off. It's as chic and sexy as bat woman!

If you'd like to achieve this look, aim for the two key pieces. A pleather | leather skin-tight pant (make sure you roll your cuffs), and a thigh-length cape, with arm holes. The rest will fall to the basics. A black wide brimmed hat, chunky accessories and a great pair of black pumps.

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Links to some of my favorite style blogs this week:
fashion roadkill | garance dore| elements of style|refinery 29| les mads

What's In My Bag?

I really only carry the essentials in my bag. If it gets too heavy, I get cranky and then dump everything out and replace only the select following items... again, they're the essentials! Inside my *new* lovely Marc by Marc Jacobs handbag, here's what you'll find:1. Oversized Scarves. The only thing that keeps me warm in this town is the addition of big warm scarves to my everyday outfits. I got this great cheese cloth -esque scarf at a thrift store and have been wearing it with every outfit.... can't go wrong!
2. iPhone + Headphones. Always, all the time, no matter what. I use both for work and while driving or shopping or anything at all.
3. Keys. Currently have my car keys, 2 work keys, a mailbox key, house key, and a key to my craft room.
4. Hobo Wallet. I love this thing and it's so easy to keep things organized inside of it. Also, if I don't want my purse, and just need money and ID, it passes as a cute camel and brass clutch!
5. Gum. Doesn't matter what brand, but I will always have winterfresh gum in my bag for the freshest breath.
6. Big Black Sunnies. I never leave home without my sunglasses. This pair is my newest and most favorite pair, my first pair of D+G (and most definitely not my last)
7. Dr. Hunter's Rosewater and Glycerine Hand Creme. This is gold in a bottle, and it smells like roses... need I say more!?
8. MAC 'Fresh Brew' Lustre Lipstick. My favorite shade for winter, it's very soft and natural with a hint of mocha-berry color. This one's almost used up, I need to grab another one!
9. Natural Ice Chapstick. Best lip product I've ever used. It's got just a hint of mint to cool and relax chapped lips while locking in moisture. Love the stuff and at $2 a tube, you can't beat it!

What's in your bag??